TRUMP’S ISRAEL ENVOY INCITES ANGER WITH ONLINE IMAGE
▶ US ambassador Friedman seen holding controversial doctored image of Al Aqsa Mosque compound
The US ambassador to Israel has sparked outrage online by receiving a doctored photograph showing the Jewish third temple built on the site of Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem.
David Friedman was presented with the poster on Tuesday while touring Bnei Brak, the city east of Tel Aviv that serves as a centre to ultra-orthodox Judaism.
Al Aqsa Mosque compound is one of the holiest places in Islam. The Dome of the Rock, adjacent to the mosque, is one of the most recognisable monuments in the world.
Mr Friedman drew immediate criticism for the incendiary incident after the photograph of him receiving the poster from an employee of an ultra-orthodox Jewish organisation was posted online.
“Gasoline, meet match,” one Twitter user posted. “Just another provocation to humiliate the Palestinians and Christians as well,” another tweeted.
The US Embassy in Jerusalem later said Mr Friedman was not aware of what the photo depicted.
“He was deeply disappointed that anyone would take advantage of his visit to Bnei Brak to create controversy,” the embassy tweeted. “US policy is absolutely clear: we support the status quo,” it said, referring to Jerusalem’s place as a meeting point of history and faith.
The site is one of the most sensitive in the decades-long conflict. The Second Intifada by Palestinians began in 2000 after Israeli politician Ariel Sharon, surrounded by hundreds of riot police, went to Al Aqsa. The visit sparked riots by Palestinians.
The non-government organisation that was leading Mr Friedman on the tour later apologised for the controversy.
“One of our staffers presented a picture to the ambassador that was not cleared or approved by our organisation or the embassy or ambassador,” Achiya told The Jerusalem Post.
“The ambassador and his team were professional and generous with their time in visiting us to highlight the important life changing work we do. Unfortunately, the entire experience has been clouded by a cheap political stunt.”
The incident took place in an atmosphere of heightened tension after President Donald Trump ordered the US embassy to be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
The embassy move took place the day before Nakba day on May 15, an occasion commemorated by Palestinians as the day of “catastrophe” and displacement.
It outraged Palestinians, who believe that East Jerusalem should be the capital of a future Palestinian state. Critics say the embassy switch has dealt a major blow to the peace process.
In the protests after the embassy move, Israeli soldiers killed 62 Palestinian demonstrators near the Gaza border fence, making May 14 the deadliest day since the 50-day 2014 war between Israel and Gaza.
Mr Friedman was formerly a lawyer for Mr Trump and was nominated by the president for the top diplomatic role in December 2016.
His appointment was welcomed by conservative Jewish groups for his pro-settlement views, but opposed by the liberal Jewish organisation J Street as “anathema” to the values that underlie the US-Israel relationship.